The Trustees also named two residence halls and a Heritage Hall conference center after three notable alumni.
Western Michigan University has approved a three percent increase in room and board rates for the next academic year. That’s a $280 increase for a student with a 15-meal plan who lives in “traditional” on-campus housing such as a dorm.
The total cost of room and board for such a student is about $9600 a year.
Western’s trustees approved the new rates at their meeting on Thursday. The school says the extra money will help pay for costs at its recently expanded housing and dining facilities, and for building renovations and general maintenance.
Naming
Also on Thursday, Western's trustees voted to name two Western Heights residence halls and a conference room at Heritage Hall after three notable WMU alumni: Ronald E. Hall, who graduated in 1965 and died last year during his term as a trustee; Dennis W. Archer Sr., who also graduated in 1965 and is a former trustee; and William F. Pickard, who graduated in 1964 and is a current trustee of Western.
The residence halls will be named Hall-Archer-Pickard Hall East and Hall-Archer-Pickard Hall West. The Heritage Hall conference room will also be called Hall-Archer-Pickard.
Hall, Archer and Pickard knew each other as students and "maintained close ties with each other and with their alma mater over the years," according to the university.
Trustee Pickard abstained from the vote to approve the names.